Consider the following statements:

1. Babesia is a genus of microscopic protozoan parasites that infect red blood cells.
2. Babesiosis is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Ixodes (Deer) ticks.
3. Babesiosis is highly contagious and commonly spreads through person-to-person contact.
4. The Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is naturally found only in the Gir landscape of Gujarat.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding the Variable Rate Repo (VRR) Auction:

1. It is a tool used by the RBI to inject short-term liquidity into the banking system.
2. Under a VRR auction, banks borrow funds from the RBI at an interest rate determined through auction bidding.
3. The Repo Rate and the Call Money Rate are the same and are determined by the RBI.
4. VRR auctions help prevent sudden spikes in short-term interest rates and support financial stability.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD):

1. It is Asia’s premier defence and security summit.
2. It is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), headquartered in London.
3. It is held annually in Singapore at the Shangri-La Hotel.
4. It is jointly organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Assertion (A): Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect makes cities significantly hotter than nearby rural areas, increasing the risks of heat-related illnesses.

Reason (R): Excessive use of concrete and asphalt, loss of tree cover, and heat released from air-conditioners contribute to higher temperatures in urban areas.

Consider the following statements regarding the Sakura Science Programme:

1. It is funded and implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
2. The programme aims to expose international students to Japan’s scientific ecosystem and cultural heritage.
3. In India, it provides opportunities to meritorious students from government schools who have qualified for the National Means cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS).
4. The programme is implemented by UNESCO and hosted annually in South Korea.

Which of the statements given above are correct?